AUS vs PAK: Mitchell Marsh Becomes Second Player In History To Achieve Unique Feat

The Australia National Cricket Team star all-rounder Mitchell Marsh turned 32 on Friday, October 20, and he presented himself with a great birthday gift by smashing a sensational hundred against Pakistan National Cricket Team at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

The Bison Mitchell Marsh was in beast mode against Pakistan and he brought out his A-game in the match. After failing to perform well in the first few matches of the World Cup, the opening batsman played his natural attacking brand of cricket against the Men In Green.

Marsh launched an attack on the Pakistan bowlers and smashed them all over the park to complete his fifty off 40 balls. He then got a little cautious and completed his century off 100 balls.

As the 32-year-old completed his ton, he created history by becoming only the second player after New Zealand’s Ross Taylor to hit a World Cup century on his birthday. The Kiwi legend smashed a century on his birthday against Pakistan in Pallekele in the 2011 Cricket World Cup.

Also, Australia openers Mitchell Marsh and David Warner smashed staggering centuries and added 259 runs for the first wicket. They became the fourth opening pair to hit hundreds in the same World Cup game.

Very nice birthday present – Mitchell Marsh

Speaking to broadcasters during the mid-innings break, Mitchell Marsh said that he was happy to perform on his birthday. He said:

“Very nice birthday present, I feel like I have played a lot of cricket on my birthday and never got over 10. Nice to contribute today, to have that partnership with Davey was awesome.”

Marsh added that Pakistan bowled really well after conceding a lot of runs initially. He elaborated:

“We know this can be a high-scoring ground, I have played here a lot, I have missed out a lot, it was nice to cash in today. Pakistan bowled pretty well in the powerplay, we sort of cashed in. Probably would have liked a few more, but I thought Pakistan bowled really well.”

“Our communication and connection today as a partnership was fantastic. Kept each other going. There was a little period they bowled quite well, especially their spinners, we tried to take it deep, we knew that our time would come.“

Mitchell Marsh further talked about his partnership with David Warner and said that they had an awesome partnership and the veteran opener used his experience very well. He elaborated:

“Davey was fantastic for me, used his experience, it was awesome fun to have that partnership with him. I tend not to celebrate too hard when I get my hundreds normally, but there was a fair bit of emotion in that one today, World Cups are always special and to score a World Cup hundred is something I am really proud of. 

“It was a great birthday present. Hopefully we get another win on the board. There’s certainly enough in the wicket, hopefully we can get some swing under lights and put them under pressure with early wickets.”

Overall, Marsh scored 121 runs off 108 balls, with 10 fours and 9 sixes, before getting dismissed by the left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi. Australia posted 367/9 on the board.